Black Hollywood essay

4b) A dominant representation is one which is repeated across the media over time and so are the values that it carries. Discuss.

"Within the logic of its narrative patterns, blacks tend to be depicted either as the source of social problems - threatening to disrupt moral equilibrium - or as the passive bearers of social problems - victimised into angst-ridden submission or dependency" (Kobena Mercer). How true is this statement made by Mercer? Are all representations of black people negative in the media? Has there been any positive changes in Black Hollywood over the decades? The United States has a history of ruthless black slavery which has taken effect in how black people have been represented in Hollywood since their independence and emancipation. Black slavery ended in America in 1865 however it still did not stop the discrimination towards them. Media texts such as movies and dramas directed throughout the history of Black Hollywood till date communicate a range of representations and reinforce certain specific stereotypes time and time again.

Travelling quite far back in time in the era of Black Hollywood at it's most degrading point, racial prejudice and subordination between the whites and blacks was evident throughout society and this was conveyed overtly in media products which 'seemed' to include black actors. The reality of these black actors was that they weren't actually black. In the year of 1915, Birth of a Nation directed by D.W Griffith was released, it starred white actors with painted black faces. This was, shockingly so now, normal then. The main roles were played by white actors painted black however the extras were real black people. This showed the immense differentiation between the whites and blacks, it also illustrated the class system of whites being at a higher position than the blacks. This ties in with the theory of Karl Marx. Referring to the historical context the bourgeoisie being only the white people at that period of time and the proletariat who were the black people. Black people were generally exploited through hard labour work that they carried out which then reflected in the movies. Gone With the Wind was released in 1939 and directed by Victor Fleming. Hattie Mcdaniel, a black woman, played the role of a maid in the house of a white family, in other words she played the role of a 'slave.' This reflected the society at that time (Monaco)